Blue Jay Outfield Outshone : Angels Use Rookie and 2 Non-Regulars to Steal Spotlight

The Toronto Blue Jays came to town Friday night with what could be considered the U2 of outfields--a group that is easily on top of its profession.

In left field is George Bell, who leads the American League in RBIs with 104 and is second in home runs with 38. In right field is Jesse Barfield, who has hit 26 home runs and knocked in 69 runs. And in center field is Lloyd Moseby, who has 20 homers and 75 RBIs.

The Angels countered with something of punk-rock band: Devo and the Retreads.

In right field was Tony Armas, who thought his career was over just a few months ago and spent more than a month at Triple-A Edmonton before returning to the major leagues. In left field was Ruppert Jones, who spends more time on the bench than he does in the outfield.

The only legitimate star of this outfield was rookie sensation Devon White, who has been one of the Angels’ best and most consistent players throughout this season.

But, Friday night, all-patchwork got the best of all-world. White and Armas each homered, and Jones singled and scored a run in the Angels’ 3-1 victory in front of 47,926 in Anaheim Stadium.

The Blue Jays, for one night at least, dropped off the charts. Bell went 0 for 4, while Barfield and Moseby each singled in four at-bats. None of the three did any damage.

Jones got the Angels off to a good start by leading off with a single to center. He advanced to second on a balk by Toronto pitcher Phil Niekro, to third on White’s infield single and scored on Wally Joyner’s single to right.

White was credited with the game-winning RBI when he lined a Niekro offering over the right-center field fence for a solo home run to give the Angels a 2-1 lead in the sixth.

It was White’s 21st home run and 73rd RBI of the season and also was his second game-winning homer of the week. White’s grand slam in the seventh Monday night gave the Angels a 6-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Armas supplied the finishing touch when he drove a Niekro knuckleball deep into the Blue Jays’ bullpen in left-field, a shot that carried 415 feet, according to the Anaheim Stadium home-run meter.

“Armas put a nice swing on that ball,” Angel Manager Gene Mauch said. “And Devon White put a nice swing on his.”

For Armas, it was his first home run as an Angel and his first major league homer since Aug. 30 of last season. Armas, who led the American league in home runs (43) and RBIs (123) in 1984 as a member of the Boston Red Sox, was not re-signed by the Red Sox after last season and became a free agent.

He was signed by the Angels on July 10 and sent to Edmonton, where he hit .250 with 3 home runs and 16 RBIs in 29 games before being called up on Aug. 18.

“I never thought I was going to hit another home run this year,” Armas said. “I have to thank California for giving me a chance to play.”

Armas made his first start for the Angels Thursday night, and it figured that he would be in the lineup Friday night. His last two homers (Aug. 24 and Aug. 30) were both off Niekro, when the pitcher was with the Cleveland Indians.

“I hit the knuckleball pretty good,” Armas said. “I hit (Texas Ranger knuckler Charlie) Hough well, too. I have more patience on those pitches. I can’t really explain it. I just wait a little longer.”

He waited this long for another major league homer. What’s a few more moments?